Montoya returns to McLaren for 2021 Indianapolis 500

Juan Pablo Montoya will contest the 2021 Indianapolis 500 with his former Formula 1 employer McLaren.

McLaren had made tentative steps into IndyCar, supporting Fernando Alonso in his quest to claim the triple-crown at the Indianapolis 500 as early as 2017, but in late 2019, the team stepped up its interest and entered into a partnership with IndyCar team Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports that would see the team rebranded as Arrow McLaren SP.

With regular-season drivers Pato O'Ward and Felix Rosenqvist also competing, the team will grow to a three-car outfit for the showpiece Indianapolis race.

“I’m very excited to be joining Arrow McLaren SP for the Indianapolis 500,” said Montoya. “I have some great history with McLaren from my F1 days and I’m looking forward to making some more at next year’s Indianapolis 500."

The Columbian driver last raced at the Indy500 in 2017 and finished sixth as Takuma Sato claimed the first of his two wins.

McLaren Racing CEO, Zak Brown, had teased the team had plans to run a third car in the past week.

He added: “I’m delighted for Juan to rejoin the McLaren family and return to the Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren SP

“He is an intensely competitive, highly versatile driver, with deep experience at the top level of motorsport and a big following. Having him with us at the 500 next year will be great for the team and INDYCAR fans everywhere."

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